A Free Gift

Posted on by Rev. Cleo Graham

What gifts will you give and receive this Christmas?

Consider devoting a specific time of the day to pray. I chose 1:11 pm as a time to park my mind, body and spirit at God’s weigh station for refueling. Try pressing the reset in your day and life.

Imagine giving God thanks. Prayerfully, thanking and praising God in word, song, dance and deed.

Ask God to bless someone.

Pray someone’s chains are released and they are no longer bound by sickness, debt, fear, addiction and pain.

Please pray with me

God, I give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One.

I welcome the gifts that Jesus Christ, Savior, Healer, Redeemer offers us.

I pray that our Christmas and New Year will be filled with Love, Joy, Peace & Hope.

Praise You O God for breaking the chains in our lives and setting us free indeed. Lord receive our prayers in Your Holy Name. Amen

Thank you Beneficent Church Liturgical Dancers (see video)

Led by Faith Stuckey :

Stacey Grasso, Faith Stuckey, Christopher Washington Jr., Destiny Washington, Nevaeh Washington and Aisha.

“Break Every Chain” Tasha Cobbs

Music https://youtu.be/-pD2zIuiC2g

Give the gift of prayer. Pray for someone.

Dear God, thank You for the priceless gift of prayer. You keep giving us so much in return. Merciful God hear us as we park and pray at 1:11 pm. Bless us with a glorious Christmas and a spirit filled New Year. Inspire our spiritual siblings to park and pray at 1:11 pm. We pray for (names). In Christ’s Name. Amen

Lincoln Prayed

Posted on by Rev. Cleo Graham

President Lincoln said, “I’ve been driven many times upon my knees.” I wonder how many of us have been driven upon our knees? If so, then what?

Let’s Park & Pray at 1:11

Merciful God, we are reminded that President Lincoln was driven upon his knees and humbly sought your guidance. Inspire those who declared an oath to serve You and country to humble themselves before your throne of grace.

Inspire our Leaders to be righteous, forgiving and just.

Receive our prayers, wherever and whatever our persuasions may be.

Standing, sitting, falling on bended knees, or lying faced down with outstretched hands, we pray our best from our hearts.

When we pray, “God bless America!” Help us to know that You bless us in unexpected ways.

Give us this day as our daily Bread and deliver us from evil. We pray in Your Holy Name. Amen

Three Grains of Wheat

Posted on by Rev. Cleo Graham

Very Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies it produces much fruit. Jn 12:24

Sometimes death comes in threes. First, my Auntie Dottie left us peacefully. Her prayers calmed storms, moved mountains of doubts, healed, blessed and renewed our faith. She loved and lived to please Jesus. The Holy Spirit was her constant companion.

Evangelist Dorothy Redd Faithful Servant

Second, Barbara Whatmough, my creative Prayer Partner whose art, songs and thoughts created a tapestry of divine glory to God. She embraced a peaceful sleep where “the Heavens declare the glorified God.” Psalms 18:1

Barbara Whatmough

Third, Cynthia Corry, my delightful and dependable helper suddenly went up to yonder. She often stayed behind to help pick of the pieces of our Good Friday Service, Luncheon for the Homeless and Fellowship Hour. Her smile was like a candlelight burning and leaving a trail of sweet calm.

Cynthia Corry

Let’s Park and Pray at 1:11

God of Grace and Mercy, thank you for the gift of life and the promise of eternal peace. Make your presence known to us as we mourn the loss of our loved ones and also celebrate their home-going. We park and pray at this moment in Your Holy Name. Amen

And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you. – John 16:22